Bearing mounting and seals for idler rolls and the like



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BEARING MOUNTING AND SEALS FOR IDLER ROLLS AND THE LIKE Filed March 20,1952 United States Patent O BEARING MOUNTING AND SEALS FOR IDLER ROLLSAND THE LIKE Samuel J. Spurgeon, Birmingham, Ala.

Application March 20, 1952, Serial No. 277 ,S79

6 Claims. (Cl. 30S-187.1)

My present invention relates to bearing mountings for idler rolls andthe like and to means for protecting anti-friction bearings against thedamaging effects of foreign matter. My invention relates moreparticularly to means for accomplishing this purpose indirectly byproviding seals effective to protect the built-in seals with which theso-called sealed bea-rings are provided.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 162,980, tiled May 19, 1950,now Patent No. 2,647,808, dated August 4, 1953, Bearing Mounting forIdler Rolls and the Like, l show. describe and claim a bearing mountingfor idler rolls which comprises an arrangement of metal and resilientwashers so spaced relative to the built-in seals of the bearing as toprovide spaces at the ends of the bearing. In these spaces I place aquantity of semi- Huid material which may well be a lubricant and thismaterial remains in these spaces to intercept foreign matter gettinginto the assembly before it reaches the builtin seals. Consequently,such material prevents the foreign matter from reaching the seals, thusprolonging the life of the bearing. While this construction has provenvery satisfactory for its intended purposes, the present invention is,for certain uses and under certain conditions, an improvement thereover.Generally speaking, the present bearing mounting is somewhat lesscomplicated than the one described in the co-pending applicationmentioned above. Further, the present bearing mounting embodiesauxiliary sealing washers having improved sealing means cooperating withthe roll axle and embodies means to hold the outer race of the bearingagainst rotation in the bore of the roll head. My improved bearingmounting embodies means effective to hold the inner race againstrotation relative to the axle and which nevertheless permits the bearingto be somewhat self-aligning, relieving the strains due to preloadingwhich occur when both the inner race and outer race are pressed into andover the respective cooperating parts of the roll and axle.

In view of the above an object of my invention is to provide a mountingfor anti-friction bearings which shall have spaced outwardly of the endsauxiliary seals in the form of rubber gaskets or seal members, therubber seals being assembled in the bearing recess in such manner as toprovide lubricant receiving spaces at the ends of the bearing and soarranged as to frictionally grip the outer race of the bearingtherebetween thus holding the outer race against rotation relative tothe roll head and preventing foreign matter from contacting the bearing.

yAnother object is to provide, in association with the features justmentioned, an annular rubber ring placed in a groove in the axle anddisposed to be deformed when the inner race of the bearing is slid ontothe shaft over the ring, thus providing means holding the inner raceagainst rotation while permitting slight axial movement of the innerrace thus to prevent imposing preloading stresses on the bearings asmight be the case if the races were pressed into the bore and onto theaxle.

A more general object of my invention is to provide auxiliary seal meansfor anti-friction bearings which shall be simple of construction andinstallation and in which the seals themselves are effective to lock andsecure the outer race of the bearing in the bore of the roll head or thelike in which :the bearing is installed, and which when in place isdiicult to withdraw, thus assuring that the outer race is he/d againstrotation.

A bearing mounting illustrating the features of my invention is shown inthe accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. l is a fragmental side elevational view of an idler roll with oneof the bearings and heads in section;

Fig. 2 is a detail exploded view of the bearing and my improvedauxiliary seals, the two built-in seals of the bearing also beingremoved for the purpose of illustration; and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental detail sectional view of a portion ofthe axle which is provided with the annular groove for receiving therubber ring to hold the inner race against rotation, the view beingtaken with the race removed.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my inventionI show my improved bea-ring mounting associated with a conveyor idlerroll indicated generally by the numeral 10. In the manner wellunderstood, the roll 10 may comprise an outer cylindrical shell 11provided at each end with heads 12 and 13. The inner surface of theshell 11 may be shouldered as at 14 to engage with a complementaryshoulder 16 on the heads. The heads may be held in place by rolling orforming over the ends of the shell 11 as indicated at 17.

In view of the fact that the heads 12 and 13 are identical a descriptionof one will suice for both. The head 13 is provided with a centrallydisposed bearing recess or bore 18 within which is adapted to be placedan antifriction bearing such as a ball bearing indicated generally bythe numeral 19. The ball bearing 19 may comprise the usual outer race21, the inner race 22 and a row of ball bearings 23 between the races.Also, the ball bearing 19 may be provided with built-in seals 24 and 26in the form of rubber washers, the inner peripheries of which wipe thesides of the inner race as illustrated. The seals 24 and 26 may be heldin place by locking rings 27 and 28 which t in internally disposedgrooves within the outer race 21.

The ball bearing 19 is disposed to t about a centrally disposed axle 29,the inner race 22 being adapted to fit slidably over the axle 29. Theaxle may be provided with notched out ends 31 for receiving thecomplementarily notched standards of a roll supporting framework.

The axle 29 is provided with an annular groove 32 located at the pointtherealong over which the inner race 22 will be placed when the bearingmounting is finally assembled. Disposed in the groove 32 is an annularring 33 of rubber or the like. The relative depth of the groove 32 andthe size of the ring 33 a-re such that when the bearing race 22 isforced over the rubber ring, the rubber thereof ows in such manner as tofrictionally grip the inner race and hold the same against rotation.However, the inner race 22 can move slightly longitudinally of the axle29 for a purpose later to appear..

My improved auxiliary seals are indicated generally by the numerals 34and 36. For the purpose of description the seal 34 will be referred tohereinafter as the inner seal whereas the seal 36 will be referred to asthe locking seal. However, it will be apparent as the descriptionproceeds that these terms are relative only since either seal may beemployed at the inner or outer end of some types of bearing mountingrecesses.

Considering rst the seal 34 it will be seen that the same comprises anannular washer 37 of relatively rigid material such as steel or ironhaving vulcanized or otherwise bonded thereto an annular washer-likerubber portion 38. The rubber portion of the washer 34 has a centrallydisposed, outwardly extending seal portion 39 adapted to encircle theaxle 29 with a close running tit. The inner surface of the portion 39tapers as illustrated in Fig. 1 so that in elfect contact with axle 29is had over a relatively narrow axial length of the portion 39, adjacentthe end thereof. The surface of the seal member 34 opposite the sealingportion 39 overhangs the inner face of the washer 37 as illustrated at41. Further, the portion 41 is triangular in transverse section asindicated so that there is a circular, wedge shaped section of flexiblematerial which is adapted to wedge between the bore 18 and the side ofthe outer race 21 of the bearing 19. It will be noted that the outerrace of the bearing is provided with the usual rounded corners 21a, andthese corners aid in permitting the wedging action of the wedgeshapedportion 41 in the manner to appear.

The outer or locking seal 36 also embodies a washer 43 of relativelyrigid material such as steel or iron. Vulcanized or otherwise bonded tothe washer 43 is a body 44 of rubber which has an outwardly projectingaxle engaging sealing portion 46, similar in all respects to the portion39 of washer 34. The thickness of the member 36 may be greater than thethickness of the member 34 for a reason also later to appear. To addflexibility to the end of the portion 46 the outer face of the rubber 44may be grooved as at 44a. The member 36 is provided along its inner facewith a circular portion 47 which is tapered as indicated thereby towedge against the opposite side of the outer race, adjacent theperiphery thereof.

The bore 18 of the head 13 is provided with an internal, annular groove49. Projecting radially outward from the outer periphery of the rubberportion 47 of the member 36 is a triangular shaped annular rib 51. Theiiat radially disposed side 51a of the rib 51 is disposed to snap behindthe outer radially disposed wall of the groove 49, thus to lock themember 36 in place within the bore 1S. Further, the relative thicknessof the members 34 and 36 is such that when assembled with the bearing,the locking in of the rib 51 is fully effective to force the entireassembly inwardly. This presses the sealing washer 34 into Contact witha Shoulder 52 at the inner end of the bore and locks the outer raceagainst rotation by the wedging action already mentioned.

It will be noted that the axle is provided with a second annular groove53. The groove S3 is adapted to receive a locking ring 54 which iseffective to engage against the outer side of the inner race 22, thus tohold the bearing against moving outwardly toward the adjacent end of theshaft. It will thus be seen that with the ring 54 in place the outerrace of the bearing is effectively clamped between the sealing members34 and 36, the stop shoulder 52 serving to hold the parts againstmovement toward that end of the recess.

It will be further noted that adjacent the inner periphery of themembers 34 and 36 I provide enlarged annular cut out portions 34a and36a, respectively. The purpose of this cutting away th-e central part ofthe sides of the members 34 and 36 adjacent the bearings is twofold.First, I ind that this clearance in the f-orm of the annular spacesshown causes any foreign matter that may enter under the seals 39 and 46to tend to be pushed away from the bearing. Secondly, with respect tothe member 36, the space 36a provides adequate clearance for the lockingring 54 to be employed in the manner shown.

From the foregoing the method of constructing and using my improvedbearing mounting may now be explained and understood. In assembling thedevice the first step is to place the seal 34 in the bore 18, placing itin contact with the shoulder 52. When this is done a small amount oflubricant-like material such as cup or bearing grease or the like isplaced on the inner face of the member 34. When the bearing 19 is placedin the recess 18 it contacts the metallic washer 37 in the manner shownin Fig. 1. It will be noted that there is deiined between the metallicwasher and the built-in seal 24 a space indicated by the letter S. Thisspace, together with that provided by cutting away the washer 34 at 34aprovides a space sufficient to hold an appreciable quantity of thelubricant. The rubber washer 33 is placed in its groove 32 and lockingring 54 is put in place after the bearing 19 is inserted. The bearing 19is now put in place and a second quantity of lubricant is placed on theouter side thereof and the locking seal 36 is inserted. Upon forcing theseal 36 inwardly and snapping the rib 51 into the groove 49, theassembly is complete. It will thus be seen that the space S between themetal washer 43 and the seal 36 is likewise filled with the lubricantjust mentioned when the device is completely assembled.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised an improvedbearing mounting which is simple of construction and operation. Inpractice, when foreign matter is present adjacent the points 39 and 46its entry into contact with the built-in seals 24 and 26 is preventedboth by the mechanical sealing action of the extensions 39 and 46 and bythe presence of the lubricant in the spaces S and S'. The combination ofthese two factors assures long life for the bearing whether or not thesame is equipped with the built-in seals.

Another feature of my invention as previously mentioned lies in the factthat the outer race may iit rather loosely in the bearing recess and theinner race 22 may t rather loosely over the shaft or axle 29. Therefore,when the parts are assembled the bearing is not pre-loaded as is usuallyfound to be the case when the outer race is pressed into its recess andthe inner race is pressed over the axle. In other words, the inner racecan shift slightly axially to the left as viewed in Fig. l. Similarly,while the outer race 21 is locked against rotation in the bearingrecess, nevertheless, the same can shift slightly through distortion ofthe rubber of the auxiliary seals. The outer race thus is free toaccommodate itself to the non-loaded position relative to the balls andthe inner race. This arrangement assures long life for the built-inseals and consequently assures long life for the bearing itself.

While I have shown the auxiliary washers 34 and 36 as embodying metallicwashers 37 and 43, with some types of resilient material it may bepossible to omit the same. With those types of resilient material whichtend to ow when compressed I find that the metalic washers reduce thetendency to flow and thus cause the resilient body portions of the sealsto maintain the desired shape. For instance, a composite sealing washerformed of certain of the synthetic rubbers having incorporated thereinglass fibers may, under certain conditions, be satisfactory without theuse of the inner washers of relatively rigid material.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible ofvarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a mounting for an anti-friction bearing of the type havingbuilt-in seals at each end, a hub having a bore for receiving thebearing, a stop shoulder at the inner `end of the bore, an inner sealingwasher of resilient material in the bore fitting against the shoulderand spaced from the adjacent built-in seal to provide a spacetherebetween for a quantity of semi-fluid material, an outer sealingwasher of resilient material in the bore spaced from the adjacentbuilt-in seal and providing a space therebetween for receiving aquantity of semiuid material, there being an annular internal groove inthe walls of the hub defining the bore thereof, an annular locking lipon the outer sealing washerdisposed to engage in the groove and therebylock the washer in the hub bore, said sealing washers being thick enoughto clamp between them and hold against rotation an outer peripheral partof the bearing and a stationary axle passing through the sealing washersand the bearing.

2. In a mounting for an anti-friction bearing of the type havingbuilt-in seals at each end, a hub having a bore for receiving thebearing, a stop shoulder at the inner end of the bore, an inner sealingwasher of resilient material in the bore fitting against the shoulderand spaced from the adjacent built-in seal to provide a spacetherebetween for a quantity of semi-fluid material, an outer sealingwasher of resilient material in the bore spaced from the adjacentbuilt-in seal and providing a space therebetween for receiving aquantity of semi-Huid material, there being an annular internal groovein the walls of the hub defining the bore thereof, an annular lockinglip on the outer sealing washer disposed to engage in the groove andthereby lock the washer in the hub bore, tapered ring-like portions onthe faces of the resilient sealing washers adjacent the bearing whichtend to wedge between the outer periphery of the bearing and the wallsof the hub bore when the mounting is assembled, thereby restraining apart of the bearing against rotation relative to the hub bore, and astationary axle passing through the sealing Washers and the bearing.

3. In a mounting for an anti-friction bearing of the type having innerand outer races and built-in seals at each end, a hub having a bore forreceiving the bearing, a stop shoulder at the inner end of the bore, aninner sealing washer of resilient material in the bore fitting againstthe shoulder and spaced from the adjacent builtin seal to provide aspace therebetween for a quantity of semi-uid material, an outer sealingwasher of resilient material in the bore spaced from the adjacentbuilt-in seal and providing a space therebetween for receiving aquantity of semi-uid material, there being an annular internal groove inthe walls of the hub dening the bore thereof, an annular locking lip onthe outer sealing washer disposed to engage in the groove and therebylock the washer in the hub bore, a stationary axle passing through thesealing washers and the bearing, and a sealing member between the innerrace and the axle.

4. The combination with an anti-friction bearing of the type havinginner and outer races and wherein the outer race is disposed in the boreof a hub or the like, of inner and outer sealing washers of resilientmaterial in the bore spaced from parts of the bearing to provide spacesat the ends thereof for receiving quantities of semi-fluid material,wedge shaped annular sections on the inner faces of the washers disposedto wedge into the annular spaces defined at the junction of theperiphery of the outer race and the walls of the hub bore, means holdingthe washers in place in the hub bore with the bearing clamped betweenthe same and with the said wedge shaped sections in said annular spaces,a non-rotatable axle passing through the hub about which the inner racetits, and a sealing member between the axle and said inner race.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which the means holding thebearing clamped between the washers cornprises an internal annulargroove in the walls of the bore located adjacent one of said washers,and an annular locking ring formed integrally with the washer adjacentsaid groove and disposed to snap into said groove and restrain the saidwasher against movement away from the bearing.

6. In a mounting for an anti-friction ball bearing having inner andouter races and built-in seals at each end, a hub having a cylindricalbore in which the outer race of the bearing iits, a non-rotatable axlein the bore over which the inner race lits, a stop shoulder at the innerend of the bore, a sealing washer having one face resting against thestop shoulder and an annular portion cooperating with the axle to forrna seal around the axle, the other face of said washer contacting theouter race of the bearing and thereby being held in spaced relation tothe adjacent built-in seal, a second sealing washer similar to the rstone located at the other end of the bearing and similarly held spacedfrom the built-in seal adjacent thereto and cooperating with the axle,and a locking ring portion projecting outwardly of the periphery of thesecond washer, there being an annular circumferential groove in the hubbore within which the locking ring tits, said groove and locking ringportion of the washer being so located that the outer race of thebearing is resiliently clamped between the sealing washers when theparts are assembled in the hub bore.

References Cited in the fle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,906,521 Boden May 2, 1933 2,054,581 Delaval-Crow Sept. 15, 19362,181,203 Reynolds Nov. 28, 1939 2,275,325 Searles Mar. 3, 19422,310,405 Dodge Feb. 9, 1943 2,434,686 Clayton-Wright Ian. 20, 19482,454,036 Clayton-Wright Nov. 16, 1948 2,467,210 Helfrecht Apr. 12, 19492,473,267 Wightman June 14, 1949 2,587,405 Stevens et al. Feb. 26, 19522,592,387 Brown Apr. 8, 1952 2,647,808 Spurgeon Aug. 4, 1953

